“Safehotels Alliance and its certification is a very interesting initiative in the hotel industry that comes at a time when safety and security are higher on the business agenda. Although these topics were always important for hotels, hoteliers tended to be reluctant to go the extra mile and always took a regulatory compliance approach, which is not always the best one. Compliance to domestic rules and regulations will never constitute a rounded hotel safety and security strategy. Safehotels Alliance certification is based on the Global Hotel Security and Safety Standard, which is a strategy. In that sense, it helps hotels go the extra mile by properly developing and validating the implementation of safety and security policies, standards and procedures. I understand that the 220 or more checkpoints of the certification audit points include the hotel’s communication policy offering guidance for the right response to any kind of emergency, which is a huge step-up for a large part of the industry.”

“Certification is very important for us. It helps us to maintain a high service standard and clearly shows our guests that their needs are our number one priority.”

Moshi Perera, GM Sankara Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya, Quote 2015

“The entire world will come to know that the hotel has been security-certified by Safehotels. It gives us a platform that means we can increase occupancy rates next year, and in the years ahead.”

Max Chelli, CEO Medina Palms Watamu, Kenya, Quote 2017

Gothia Towers was one of the first hotels to be certified by Safehotels Alliance. Daniel Stenbäck, CEO of the hotel, says Safehotels contacted them in late 2001 and presented an interesting concept.

“It was a natural step to be certified, as security was already a strategically important area at that time,” says Daniel Stenbäck. He points out that security issues are important for both corporate customers and hotel guests. But, the issues vary depending on who the customers and guests are. “We have guests who choose us because of our excellent security work”

“Hotel security is important. At a hotel, the traveller is more vulnerable than otherwise, as this is where you relax, undress, sleep and so on. During the journey itself you are probably more alert than when you have arrived and are ready to rest.”

“The Safehotels international hotel security standard keeps its focus on the guests in a way that – just like our own security work – can be adapted and managed by most of our employees who work on hotel premises. In geographical terms, it can be used everywhere.”